Investors' Chronicle Meeting Town Centre’s executive chair: Lee and the IC
Mar 17, 2026
Dr Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities, a long‑running UK property investor. He talks about the firm’s Leeds‑and‑Manchester asset mix, how local knowledge drives value, its debt and loan‑to‑value approach, the shift away from REIT status, a £400m+ development pipeline, and succession plans for the family‑run business.
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Stewarding Town Centre Assets For Reliable Income
- Town Centre Securities focuses on long-term stewardship of income-producing town-centre assets, mainly retail and offices concentrated in Leeds and Manchester.
- Edward Ziff emphasises tenant mix and stable income to support dividends rather than chasing high-rent speculative tenants.
Targeting Localised Rental Growth In Prime High Streets
- Town Centre shifted geographic focus from Scotland back to England, adding a recent Marylebone High Street retail purchase to capture rental growth.
- Ziff cites the north–south divide and targets pockets with clear tenant demand rather than broad logistics plays.
Choose Tenants Who Match Local Spending Power
- Prioritise tenants who can pay and fit the community rather than high-profile names that won't sustain sales.
- At Merrion Centre Ziff emphasises anchors like Morrisons and retailers that serve day-to-day shoppers to keep centres busy.